Rocky Anthology

I picked up the "Rocky Anthology" when it was on super-sale because getting five movies, including an Oscar winner for Best Picture, for under $20 is a pretty good deal. My assumption was that they were pushing this anthology to make room for the updated one that will include the sixth and "absolutely" last final movie. Yes, I understand that subtle psychological pressures are at play so that one day I will end up getting " Rocky Balboa " as well, thereby completing my collection, but I am okay with that because I liked the new ending to the saga a lot more than the old ending.Ironically, this "Rocky Anthology" is not for the die hard fans of the series, because in terms of DVD extras all you really get with each film is the trailer. So this collection is more suited for those who like Rocky rather than those who love him. I am a bit in the middle because I still love the original, which is the least polished of the series but still the best of the bunch and one day I will at least check out the  "Rocky" (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)  because that is the one that deserves the all-out treatment. To some extent the sequels have taken some of the luster off of the original: if you message is that you can win without winning, then the rest of the series says, "Yo, but winning by winning ain't bad neither." Anyhow, here is my card on the five films:"Rocky" (1976) is the story of a punk club fighter who gets a chance to fight for the heavyweight championship. Sylvester Stallone became the third person ever to be nominated for writing and acting Academy Awards in the same year (Charlie Chaplin for "The Great Dictator" and Orson Welles for "Citizen Kane" were the first two; Welles also got a directing nod and the following year Woody Allen would do the trifecta for "Annie Hall"). Stallone lost to Paddy Chayefsky and Peter Finch, both of "Network," but "Rocky" scored the big upset and took home the Best Picture Oscar. Why is this film the best? Let the man speak for himself: "Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood." The supporting cast earned three Oscar nominations and getting Bill Conti to do the music was the final masterstroke. My only complaint with this movie is Apollo Creed is out on his feet before the bell rings and the ref should have called the fight (5.0 Stars)."Rocky II" (1979) proved there was going to be a rematch after all. I say this in the theater, first show on opening day, and we were all screaming during the fight at the end like we were in the arena. Stallone starts directing these movies at this point and while the patented "Rocky" formula is already becoming obvious, he does pay attention to the psychology of Rocky and Apollo that forces them back into the ring. Automatic deductions for all that damn slow motion during the fight, especially the final falls (4.2 Stars)."Rocky III" (1982) is the slickest of the bunch and the most entertaining film in the series. Yes, once again we have the end of the previous film at the start of the next one, but the montage contrasting the successful Rocky with the ascendant Clubber Lang, who is genuinely scary, is really nice. The scene with Hulk Hogan is a hoot and even though Stallone is going through the numbers again the fights are all short, sweet, and to the point (4.5 Stars)."Rocky IV" (1985) is a painfully obvious message film. James Brown feels good in this one, but he is out of the movie before it starts to come apart. My problem is not with the ideology of this film and Rocky's plea for peace, but with the contrast between Drago's steroid induced strength and Rocky's run up the mountain training technique. A punch from Drago has an impact of almost a half-ton. I have no problem believing that the guy cannot take a bunch, but I cannot believe that Drago's haymakers do not take off Rocky's head, or at least tear his brain lose (3.5 Stars)."Rocky V" (1990) finally deals with the brain damage that Drago must have caused, and throws in Rocky losing his fortune. Both of these are very real concerns for former boxers. Rocky trains young Tommy Gunn, ignoring his own kid in the process, as a way of reliving his former glory. When the kid betrays him, the two end up brawling on the street. I can accept that Rocky knows how to be a street fighter, but I draw the line at being able to fight when you have a concussion. The humanity that drew us to the character in the original is gone, and not in a transcendent way. However, I will give Stallone that he certainly plays out the character's flaws (3.3 Stars).For those doing the math that works out to a 4 star rating on average, which is what you see above. A key factor seems to be the more punishment Rocky takes in the ring the less successful the film ends up being, but then if you want really realistic fights go watch " Raging Bull ." I did one "Rocky" movie a day for five days and while my chances of watching "IV" and "V" again are slim and none, "Rocky" and the first two sequels will certainly get trotted out from time to time.

If you love the Rocky movies like my family and I do, then you need to get these DVDs!

There is no way any series can match the Rocky Series and most people agree, here's my review on the series.Rocky: The first in the series and the best. it started the story which is a classic, Rocky(Sylvester Stallone)is a small time boxer and a collector for a lone shark, but he has a good heart, he has a relationship with a pet store worker Adrian( Talia Shire) and his best friend is her brother Paulie(Bert Young). When the world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weather) come to Philadelphia he fights rocky for the championship. Its sample enough to rap your head around it so you don't have to think so much. Its a great movie, one of my favorite movies of all time, and if you seen the movie then you know what i mean.Rating: 10/10 Must seeRocky II: My least favorite in the series. The movie starts where the last movie left off, Apollo is upset that Rocky did see well in the fight that he wants a rematch, but Rocky say no to him and to boxing and marries adrian, Rocky tries to get a normal job, he tries Commercial, an office job, even working at the meat shop paulie worked at the First movie, all which don't work out, so trying to get some money for his family, Rocky agree to fight Apollo again, which adrian doesn't like, but after she gives birth to their son she wants him to, so Rocky train for the big fight which is a little big some hit are clearly aren't making contact with the sound but a great fight. Rocky II is a great movie but not as good as the first, but still worth the watch.Rating: 7/10, OkayRocky III: This movie change the way of the Rocky movies, from drama to action. the movie starts with a montage of Rocky going on a winning streak with the song "Eye of the tiger" later in the movie he planes to retire, but is challenge by Clubber Lang(Mr.T) Rocky agrees but loses the fight because Mickey, his trainer dies. But Apollo creed comes back to help him get into fight shape, one last thing to say is that this is the only movie that shows the whole fight which is awesome. Rocky III maybe my personal favorite Sequel, I just love but not as much as the first.Rating: 10/10 Must seeRocky IV: The corniest movie off all time but at the same time the most entertaining movie of all time. When a russian boxer, Ivan Drago comes to america, Apollo fights him and gets killed in the ring, Rocky blames himself for not stopping the fight so he wants to fight Drago himself, the one thing about this movie is the many montages in it, they're are like 5 ore 6 in the movie and that's just awesome. The fight seen is the most brutal and the best ass far ass entertaining goes, after rocky wins he gives a speech about world peace for some reason, i don't know I mean if I just beat the s*** out of someone I wouldn't say "No more fighting. Fighting is wrong" but that's just me. Rocky IV is wildly entertaining even with the weird moments.Rating: 9.5/10, Go seeRocky V: Most people don't like this movie, even Stallone, but i like it. It starts after Rocky IV with Rocky Learning that he has brain damage and needs to quit boxing for good, second he loses all his money thanks to Paulie, so they have to move out off their house and go back to the house where paulie and Adrian lived in the first movie, Rocky trains a young, powerful but ungrateful fighter Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), when a boxing manager gets Tommy away from rocky, he goes from the title. When he wins he is still in the shadow of rocky balboa so he takes his anger out on him in a great street fight. This is the least best, but it doesn't mean its bad it's a really good movie but not as good ass the other movies some say that the reason it sucks is because rocky didn't fight in the ring, that may be true but that street fight is so awesome I didn't care.Rating: 8/10: GoodSome That's the Rocky Movies, A great set of awesome stories and loveable characters, The box set itself is very good, the only extras are on the first movie disk, keep in mind I have the 2001 version and there are not subtitles for the Russians in Rocky IV so that can be a little Disappointing, but other then that the set is great, i love the side pictures that makes Rocky,Rating for the set:9/10 Must get.

An excellent value for money collection - well it was when I got it for £10.For DVD the picture and sound quality is good. Although I prefer Blu-Ray, the cost was 4 times more and I didn't think it was worth it.This is a great way of watching the progression of Rocky Balboa through his fighting career, the highs and lows and the way his family builds up and falls apart. Some of the films are a bit dated now, but there is still a lot of appeal left in them yet.

Awesome does it little credit as these movies are too real to be movies in fiction , to me . I have never understood the messages and lessons contained in these gems as much as today with the challenges I face over the next 2 weeks to 2 years for my fight for supremacy with my own goals .Sylvester Stallone is a true hero and he represents the under dog and the idea that anything is possible !!

Absolutely best value I’ve ever bought ‘ I was amazed at the price and quality so impressed I bought it again .

I am a great fan of Sylvester Stallone I love all his movies, I have not seen these films for such a long time and I was not disappointed I actually forgot how good these films were and I don't think you have to be interested in boxing to actually enjoy these films I also think the music to these films are very good to I just love them with a passion.

A classic which appeals to people of a certain age who saw it the first time round. A bit dated but a typical story of an underdog making good. The early films are the best with the later ones being a bit lame, but the price is good to relive a bit of nostalgia